Study Visa and New Immigration Law: how does it affect you if you want to study in Murcia?

If you are thinking of coming to Spain to study Spanish and need a student visa, there is good news: the new Immigration Law has changed the rules of the game. And this time, for the better. Since it came into force in 2025, the system is clearer, more consistent and, above all, better adapted to the reality of thousands of international students.

In this article, we explain what a student visa is, how long it lasts, what requirements it has and what real opportunities it opens up if you choose an accredited school and a serious study programme, such as the one we offer at our Spanish school in Murcia.

What is a student visa?

A student visa is an authorisation that allows non-EU citizens to legally reside in Spain while pursuing official or regulated studies, such as intensive Spanish courses at accredited centres.

It is not an extended tourist visa or a ‘legal patch’. It is a specific legal concept with clear rights and obligations.

Under the new regulations:

• The visa covers the entire duration of the studies.
• It allows you to work legally for up to 30 hours per week.
• In certain cases, it facilitates the transition to other permits after completing studies.

How long does the student visa last?

Previously, the initial visa was usually for 90 days, and then you had to juggle administrative tasks in Spain. Now, with the new law, the duration is much more logical:

👉 The visa lasts for the same length of time as the study programme you are enrolled in, provided it exceeds 90 days.

For example:

• 6-month intensive Spanish course → 6-month visa.
• Annual Spanish programme → annual visa.

This provides stability for the student and avoids unnecessary paperwork during their stay.

Can you apply for a student visa while already in Spain?

In general, student visas must be applied for from your country of origin, through the corresponding Spanish consulate. However, there are very specific cases in which it is possible to modify a previous legal situation in Spain (for example, from a different legal stay), but this is not the usual or recommended route.

Our advice: 👉 Do it right from the start. A solid application submitted in your country of origin will save you problems later on.

What are the requirements for applying for a student visa?

Although they may vary slightly depending on the country, the basic requirements are:

• Letter of admission from a Spanish school accredited by the Instituto Cervantes.
• Detailed study programme (duration, hours per week, levels).
• Proof of sufficient financial means.
• Medical insurance valid in Spain.
• Criminal record certificate (for long stays).
• Accredited accommodation during the stay.
• Payment of consular fees.

This is where the school makes a difference: a poorly defined or inconsistent programme is one of the main causes of rejection.

When do you have to submit your application?

With the new immigration regulations (RD 1155/2024, in force since May 2025), there is a fairly clear rule about when you have to submit your visa or study permit application:

📌 In general, the documentation and student visa application must be submitted AT LEAST TWO MONTHS BEFORE the start of the training activity or course. This means that, for example, if your course starts on 1 September, your application should ideally be submitted on or before 1 July.

📌 Applications submitted after this 60-day period will not be accepted, except in very justified cases (e.g. late acceptance by the centre or reasons beyond the applicant’s control), but these must be duly documented and approved by the consular authority.

📌 When should you start preparing the documents?
Although the law stipulates a minimum period of two months, consulates and embassies recommend starting to gather and legalise everything (translations, apostilles, letter of acceptance, insurance, proof of financial means, etc.) three to six months before the start of the course to avoid delays due to lack of appointments or document reviews.

What are the advantages of a student visa?

The new Immigration Law has greatly reinforced this point. Today, a well-planned student visa offers:

✅ Residence

✅ Legal residence in Spain during your studies.

✅ Possibility of working up to 30 hours per week.

✅ Access to Spanish academic and cultural life.

✅ Greater ease in continuing your studies or changing your legal status after completing the course.

✅ Real language immersion experience (which, let’s be honest, is what makes learning Spanish truly effective).

Is it possible to come to Spain to study and then apply for permanent residence?

This is the big question. And the honest answer is:

👉 Yes, it is possible in certain cases, but it is not automatic or guaranteed.

The new regulations have created clearer pathways, such as socio-educational or socio-occupational ties, which allow, subject to specific requirements, the legal status to be changed after a period of residence in Spain. Important:

• A Spanish course is not a promise of permanent residence.
• It can be the first legal step, if the project is serious, coherent and realistic.

Be wary of anyone who tells you otherwise.

Can a student take a Spanish course first and then a vocational training course (FP)?

Yes — you can take a Spanish course first and then a vocational training course (FP) in Spain, but it is not as simple as ‘continuing with the same automatic visa’. Current regulations and consular practice tend to require certain clear rules:

🔹 1. The student visa is linked to the specific programme

The visa/residence permit for studies that you obtain is granted for the programme listed on the application:
📌 If you come for a Spanish course, your legal stay covers that course.
📌 If you then want to do vocational training, in theory you will have to apply for a new authorisation or specific renewal for that new training programme. This is not an ‘automatic continuation’ of the same visa, but a new authorising academic qualification.

This is because each type of study has its own requirements and the visa is issued according to those requirements by the consulate or Immigration Office.

🔹 2. Renewal or change of studies: what the Immigration Office usually asks for

In practice:

If you finish your Spanish course and want to enrol in vocational training, the most common scenario is that:

• You must submit a new application for a study visa that reflects the new programme (vocational training).
• This means reapplying (usually from your country) for a visa for that specific educational purpose, because the initial course (language) has already ended and the purpose of your stay has changed.

The opinion of people who have gone through these procedures indicates that:

• Renewal of the same Spanish visa for other types of studies is not usually accepted without starting a new process or changing the residence permit.

🔹 3. Practical tips for good planning

👉 If your plan is to come for Spanish and then do vocational training, there are two safer routes to avoid mistakes:

Option A: Submit the complete training plan from the outset
It is sometimes possible to include two authorised stages (language first + vocational training later) in a single visa strategy if both are well justified from the outset and linked to a coherent academic project — although this depends greatly on the consulate and country of origin.

Option B: Once you have finished your Spanish course and still have a valid residence permit, enrol in vocational training and apply for a new residence permit for those studies, because that is the programme that will give you legal residence for vocational training.

In any case, always consult a solicitor specialising in immigration matters to find out what your best option is.

To summarise

📌 It is possible to study Spanish first and then vocational training in Spain, but it is not enough to ‘continue with the same visa’ without an update or new authorisation for the new type of studies.
📌 The visa/residence permit is granted for a specific purpose: first language, then technical training.
📌 For this very reason, a new application or formal modification of the authorisation is usually required, not just an ‘automatic extension’.

How does this law affect Spanish language schools?

A lot. And this is positive for students. Now:

• Higher academic quality and consistency are required.
• Courses must clearly justify the stay.
• Accredited and experienced schools have an advantage.

At our school in Murcia:

• We design programmes with real progression through the levels.
• We issue clear, complete and transparent documentation.
• We accompany the student throughout the information process (without selling smoke).
• And we have experience since 2000.

What advice would we give you if you want to study in Spain?

Our opinion, after so many years of experience and receiving students from all over the world, is as follows:

📌 Choose your school carefully. Not all of them are valid for visas. Instituto Hispánico de Murcia is accredited by the Instituto Cervantes and has been operating since 2000.

📌 Think about your project, not just about entering Spain.

📌 Submit a solid and coherent application.

📌 Take advantage of the experience: language, culture and contacts count.

📌 IMPORTANT: Do not trust shortcuts, suspicious agencies, or easy promises.

Cancellation of your course and refunds for visa rejection

If the visa application is rejected by the consulate, our school will retain €350 for administrative costs and refund the rest of the payment within 48 working hours upon receipt of a copy of the official visa rejection letter and a bank ownership certificate. Here are more details about the refund conditions.

Spain continues to be one of the best destinations in the world to learn Spanish. And with the new Immigration Law, doing it right is easier than ever… as long as you do it wisely.

If you are thinking of studying Spanish in Murcia and need a student visa, contact our team. We will provide you with clear, realistic and professional information. We don’t promise miracles here. We promise to do things right!

Important notice: the information contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is based on the regulations in force at the time of publication. The requirements and procedures for applying for visas and residence permits may vary depending on the country of origin and the criteria of each consulate.

For this reason, we recommend that you always check the latest information and follow only the official instructions of the relevant Spanish consulate or embassy before starting any procedure and, if possible, hire the services of a specialist in immigration matters.

Our school is not responsible for the information in this article, cannot guarantee the granting of visas, nor does it replace the advice of the competent authorities.